separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈse-p(ə-)rə-tist 

ˈse-pə-ˌrā-

: one that favors separatism: such as

a

capitalized : one of a group of 16th and 17th century English Protestants preferring to separate from rather than to reform the Church of England

b

: an advocate of independence or autonomy for a part of a political unit (such as a nation)

c

: an advocate of racial or cultural separation

separatist adjective

separatistic

ˌse-p(ə-)rə-ˈti-stik 

adjective

Examples of separatist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These were followed by the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Quebec separatist Bloc Quebecois. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025

The separatists attacked the train carrying about 450 people Tuesday in a tunnel in a remote part of southwestern Balochistan province. —Abdul Sattar and Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group active in the restive and mineral-rich Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the attack. —Sophia Saifi, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025

The current leading party in Greenland is the left-wing separatist Inuit Ataqatigiit party, which will go head-to-head on March 11 with the second-largest party, Siumut, and other parties running for parliamentary seats. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing separatist

• anti-separatist

Kids Definition

separatist

noun

sep·​a·​rat·​ist ˈsep(-ə)-rət-əst 

: a person who favors separation (as from a church or party)

separatism

-rə-ˌtiz-əm

noun

separatist adjective